Notebook – Spurs v Watford

Today, we host Watford as we resume our Premier League campaign (2pm). Here’s a look at all the key points of note ahead of the game...

1 - Last time in N17

It was all square between the sides when we last met at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in October, 2019. The visitors opened the scoring in the early stages as Abdoulaye Doucoure turned in Daryl Janmaat’s cross. We then pressed for an equaliser but the Hornets did well to thwart our attacks - that was until the 86th minute when a trademark Toby Alderweireld ping caused havoc in the Watford box. Goalkeeper Ben Foster came to claim, but fumbled, allowing Dele Alli in to control neatly before firing home with a half-volley from an acute angle.

2 - Stinging the Hornets

We have a strong record in our recent meetings against Watford. Over our last 16 encounters with the Hertfordshire-based outfit in the league, we have lost just once - a 2-1 reverse in September, 2018 - the only time we have failed to pick up anything against them in the competition to date. However, it is worth noting that we have also won just one of our last four league games against Watford, which has included draws in each of the last two.

3 - History for Nuno?

A bit of Spurs history is up for grabs today for Nuno Espirito Santo. Having won each of his first two league games in charge with victories over Manchester City and Wolves (both 1-0), he could make it three out of three if we get the better of Watford. Only one Spurs manager in history has ever won their first three league games in charge - that was Arthur Rowe in August, 1949. However, that was in the old Second Division, meaning Nuno could make history for us in the top flight. If we do win, it would also be just the second time in 12 years that we have won each of our first three games (we also did so at the start of the 2018/19 campaign). However, in our history, we have never been victorious in each of our first three league games while also keeping a clean sheet in each.

4 - Son to strike?

Watford are a team Heung-Min Son seems to relish facing in the Premier League. In his career to date in England’s top flight, he has five goals against the Hornets, including his memorable backheeled winner at Vicarage Road in December, 2015. Only against Southampton (nine) has he scored more goals in the competition, and that includes his four-goal haul against the Saints last term.

5 - Team news

Nuno Espirito Santo reported this week the positive news that the squad had come through Thursday night’s Europa Conference League play-off second leg 3-0 victory over Pacos de Ferreira unscathed. However, central defenders Joe Rodon and Cameron Carter-Vickers, who both missed that victory, remain unavailable for selection as they continue their recoveries from their respective injuries.

6 - Former Spurs to return

Two of our former players could make a return to N17 today. Danny Rose and Moussa Sissoko have both swapped Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Vicarage Road this summer and both could be in the Hornets' squad for this afternoon's encounter. Full-back Rose joined us way back in 2009 and went on to play over 200 games for us in his 12 years in north London. Sissoko, meanwhile, having signed for us in the summer of 2016 from Newcastle, also went on to make over 200 appearances for us.

7 - Goals expected

When we are playing in the Premier League, you can expect us to find the back of the net. In the league, we have managed to score in each of our last 17 games in a row - the longest current such run in competition. We last failed to score in the league back in February (a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City) and we have since scored 34 goals - an average of two goals per game. At home, our goal record is even stronger as we have registered in 25 of our last 28 games in N17 while we have hit the target in each of our last nine league games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It has also been 30 league games since we were last involved in a 0-0 draw - once again, the longest current such run in the competition.

8 - Perks of promotion

When hosting newly-promoted sides in the Premier League, we have largely come out on top. In our last 27 encounters with teams that have just made the step up from the Championship to the top flight at home, we have lost just once. Coincidentally, that loss came against Nuno Espirito Santo in December, 2018, when he led Wolves to a 3-1 win against us.

9 - Nuno’s view

Nuno Espirito Santo believes our fans will be crucial for us today if we are to take all three points. Watford have made a promising start to their Premier League return with three points already on the board and Nuno is expecting a tough test from the side who finished as the Championship’s runners-up last term. However, our Head Coach believes we will have a significant advantage as we step out at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - our fantastic home support.

“I think Watford is a club that have been able to establish themselves as a Premier League side, despite what happened last season. All of us know Watford pretty well and they've been able to keep the core of the squad, they have good players, a manager that has new ideas and we see Watford as a tough opponent,” he said.

“We have a lot of material to analyse, even from the previous season in the Championship. The players are basically the same and the attitude of the team is clear. They are very competitive, very intense. We’re going to face a tough opponent, but we are at home, and the home factor is huge for us.”

10 - Watford’s capital crisis

London hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Watford in recent years. In their last 10 visits to the capital, they have been unable to win, and in their last 22 trips, they have won just twice (D4 L16). In terms of away games in general, the Hornets have lost each of their last seven in the Premier League, failing to score in five of those.